Thief Of Existence

OCTŌ

Arian's first successful game was a turkey. A huge and heavy one that her father was proud of. She was too young to be a hunter at that time and most of the neighborhood's parents didn't agree with her father teaching her how to hunt when they had all the food they needed accessible in the commercial stores that scattered all over the block. But her father didn't mind and kept on teaching her until he saw how strong and courageous she had become. She learned self-defense on her own and was a naturally skilled fighter. She was exceptionally good with a crossbow, which made her even better with a revolver and shotgun. But Arian had managed to kill the first turkey she brought home with only a piece of rubber and a single stone. She managed to knock off one of the most crucial veins with that stone. The turkey didn't stand a chance.

It was Arian's birthday when she brought home that turkey. Her father chopped it into tiny pieces and fried them. He was a wonderful cook and Arian couldn't wait as he placed the bowl of fried turkey meat on the table. She ate a hearty meal and her father watched her proudly. Arian liked it so much that she wanted her father to teach her how to cook. He thought that it was the best opportunity to teach his daughter independence so he told her that he would teach her if she manages to take down another turkey the next day. Arian took it as a challenge and went out to go hunting at five in the morning. When her father woke up from his slumber, she was already holding a bigger turkey to his face.

Arian pestered him the entire morning to teach her how to cook and her father finally relented. He taught her how to get rid of the feathers, how to clean the insides, how to season the flour, how to chop the turkey... his daughter already caught up with all his teachings so quickly that he didn't even realize that Arian was actually cooking the dish on her own. He leaned on the kitchen countertop as he watched his little girl prepare the pan for frying and chuckled softly as Arian panicked about the hot oil flying about and to her skin. She was learning well and her father was aware of that. He sat down, satisfied, as Arian placed the bowl of bits and chunks of fried turkey on the table. When he tasted them, they were heavenly. They were delicious. He wolfed them down and so did Arian. After they ate, she told him that she was sleepy and full. Her father agreed and brought her to her own bedroom and tucked her to bed.

"Papa?" she called out with a tiny voice that had always been Anwyll's weakness. "Yes, princess?" he said as he knelt by her bed. "I cook well, right? I'm a good little girl," she whined and he chuckled again. She was too pure, too innocent. How he wishes he could protect her from the cruel world.

"Yes, you cook well. Very well."

"Hearing that makes me happy."

"I love you, princess."

"What does that mean, Papa?"

Anwyll smiled as he kissed his daughter's hair.

"It means that I care for you a lot and you are important to me. When I say that to you, it will always mean that you have a special monument in my heart."

Anwyll meant each and every word. His eyes were brimming with tears but he fought them. He didn't want to cry in front of his daughter, who was still clueless about what love meant.

"If you love me, does that mean that you will stay with me forever, Papa?"

His heart shattered as he heard her question. She was too young to know that forever would never exist. She was too young to know that he wouldn't be able to be with her for as long as she wanted.

She was too young to know that the Superior Courts existed.

"Of course, princess," he lied through his teeth. Staying with Arian forever wasn't possible but he didn't want to taint her genuine and innocent soul. She was better than that. He held her small hands and squeezed them.